Marlborough City Councilor Mark Evangelous has proposed the creation of a new city park at the corner of Lincoln and Mechanic Streets. The park, which would mark the southern terminus to the Assabet River Rail Trail, could also provide parking and restroom facilities, as well as a formal entrance to the rail trail. The 2-acre site is privately owned but currently vacant, and is considered an eyesore by local residents.

To better illustrate his proposal, Councilor Evangelous created a model of the proposed park, which he recently presented to the City Council Urban Affairs Committee. Councilor Evaneglous' proposal enjoys widespread support throughout the city. The administration of Mayor William Mauro is considering applying for a Massachusetts Urban Self-Help Grant to help create the park.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks Public Input on Assabet River NWR

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input about the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, which will be created from the former Fort Devens Annex. The Assabet NWR, to be established this year, will encompass 2,205 acres in Hudson, Maynard, Stow, and Sudbury.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently developing its Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Assabet NWR. As part of this plan the agency will review which public uses are compatible with managing wildlife.

Limited bicycle and pedestrian access through part of the Assabet River NWR, or along the perimeter, could help establish a link between the Wayside Rail Trail and ARRT. Passage along the perimeter may also be helpful in providing an alternate route in Stow.

ARRT volunteers are encouraged to provide input to the Fish and Wildlife Service by completing an "Issues Workbook," available by calling Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 978 443-4661. The deadline for workbooks is June 15.

Support ARRT at Spring Town Meetings

Articles concerning ARRT appear on this spring's Town Meeting warrants in Acton, Stow, and Maynard. In each town, the article allows the town to enter into intermunicipal agreements with the other ARRT towns. Passage of these articles will facilitate administration of the federal grant ARRT received in 1997 for initial design and acquisition.

ARRT volunteers Stow and Maynard are strongly encouraged to attend their Town Meeting and vote in favor of these articles. (Acton's Town Meeting was in progress when Assabet River Rail Trail News went to press.)

Marlborough Clean-up Planned for May 1

The spring's first rail trail clean-up will be in Marlborough on May 1. Volunteers will clean the section north of Hudson Street, opposite Kelleher Field. This section was the focus of a clean up in 1998, and we'd like to continue the work we started.

Volunteers should meet at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, at Kelleher Field. Bring work gloves and wear long pants. Loppers, bow saws, shovels, and rakes are the best tools to bring.

Contact: Mark Geoffroy, 508 485-0747.

Next ARRT Volunteersí Meeting
April 15

The next ARRT volunteers' meeting will be Thursday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m., at the Hudson Public Library.